We’ve all gone through the holiday rush before, but with another snowstorm due just in time for Thanksgiving it’s a good time to remind ourselves to keep calm when you’re driving in winter weather.  The roads always seem just fine until that layer of water starts to form enough ice to put you into a spin. So for everyone’s sake, slow the heck down! There will still be turkey when you get there!  60 MPH is only 17% faster than 50 MPH, but you’ll probably be frazzled when you arrive.  Hardly worth the half hour or so you’d save on a major trek, and insignificant when traveling around the Twin Cities.  70 MPH is 29% faster than 50 MPH, but in the kind of weather we’re expecting you’ll probably end up in the ditch.

And Buckle Up.   I’ve been following the statistics on drunk driving lately, and they all tell the same story: not wearing a seatbelt dramatically increases your chance of dying in an accident.  Your not showing up will leave more turkey for everyone else, but would throw a damper on everyone’s appetite.

Speaking of spins, there was a nice article in the Minneapolis Tribune this morning on winter driving by Paul Brand of Minneapolis’ AAA office.  It had a great illustration along with advice on regaining control of your car if it starts to spin.  It includes the common advice of turning into the spin, and a tip on how to use your brakes:

“For anti-lock brakes, continuous firm pressure is recommended.  If your vehicle isn’t equipped with an ABS system, pump the brake pedal as rapidly as possible.  If the brakes lock, instantly ease pressure on the brake pedal until the front tires begin turning again.  If you’ve lost all control, then stand on the brake pedal completely.  Locking all four tires will keep the vehicle moving in a straight line even in a spin, so its path will be more predictable to other drivers.”

To which I think he should have added, “We’ll miss you.”